perceptions in the East and the external interests of my dominions have
put such a strain upon personal and direct control as to call for some
immediate measure of appreciable relief. Finding it impossible to revert to
a system whose repeated breakdown had proved its inutility, I resolved
after much reflection to give my Government a new constitution which
would secure greater efficiency and ensure progressive force. Experiments
elsewhere had proved that the Council form of Government has many and
varied advantages over the Government vested in a simple official, however
eminent

It is my earnest desire, therefore, to secure these advantages for the
well-being of my people. With this end in view I have by a Farman issued
to-day constituted an Executive Council consisting of a President, seven
ordinary members, and an extraordinary member without a portfolio.
Under well considered rules the powers of the Council, in its collective
and individual responsibilities are fixed. Its personnel has been determined
with the greatest possible care. It includes men of mature experience and
proved merit. The President, Sir Ali Imam, needs no introduction. His
career in British India is well known. A Council so constituted will streng-
then the administration in all its branches, and offer sound advice on those
matters affecting the larger interests of the State that have been specially
reserved for the exercise of my own powers. Its corporate action will give
administrative cohesion, and yield results highly beneficial to my people.
The spread of education, the development of economic resources, the en-
couragement of commercial and industrial enterprise, the adoption of
advanced sanitary and hygienic measurers, the improvement of roads and
communications and many other measures await solution. In these and
other directions of internal reform the labours of the Council xvill be of
value no less than in matters of general political relations of my Govern-
ment with the Government of India* These are as friendly and cordial as
in the past. Ever since the dawn of British rule in India an unbroken record
of alliance and friendship with my House has been maintained. In more
than one crisis the sword of an Asaf Jah has been drawn in the defence of
the honour and integrity of the British Empire. My own contributions to
win the world wide war from which the British Empire has so triumphantly
emerged are too well known for me to dwell upon.

The Council will, therefore, find itself in a happy position to approach
the all important question of the restoration of the Berar. My claim to the
possession of this integral part of my Dominions is based on absolute

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